Microsoft Tabular Modeling Cookbook

Cookbook

Paul te BraakDecember 2013

No prior knowledgeof tabular modeling is needed to benefit from this brilliant cookbook. This is the total guide to developing and managing analytical models using the Business Intelligence Semantic Models technology.

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Book Details

ISBN 139781782170884

Paperback320 pages

About This Book

Develop tabular models for personal use

Learn about the modeling techniques which are required to overcome commonly encountered problems and master advanced modeling scenarios

Understand the techniques required to promote personal models to corporate enterprise environments and manage the models in a corporate environment

Learn tips and tricks for querying tabular models and learn how to access the data within them for dynamic reporting including the development of interactive workbooks

Who This Book Is For

This book is designed for developers who wish to develop powerful and dynamic models for users as well as those who are responsible for the administration of models in corporate environments. It is also targeted at analysts and users of Excel who wish to advance their knowledge of Excel through the development of tabular models or who wish to analyze data through tabular modeling techniques. We assume no prior knowledge of tabular modeling.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Getting Started with Excel

Introduction

Creating the model

Managing the appearance of tables and fields

Using tabular relationships to filter data

Adding fields to tables

Linking fields between tables

Creating model calculations

Chapter 2: Importing Data

Introduction

Importing data as text

Importing data from databases

Managing connections and tables

Using data feeds

Chapter 3: Advanced Browsing Features

Introduction

Sorting data

Creating hierarchies for drilldown interaction

Summing aggregates and row iteration

Parent-child hierarchies

Creating and using Key Performance Indicators

Role playing dimensions and relationships

Building ratios

Chapter 4: Time Calculations and Date Functions

Introduction

Calculating running totals – totals to date

Month, quarter, and year to date aggregations

445 dates and irregularities

Last year and prior period values

Relative Time – pivoting around measures

Moving averages and last n averages

Chapter 5: Applied Modeling

Introduction

Grouping by binning and sorting with ranks

Defining many-to-many relationships

Using the last non-empty function for stock data

Performing currency calculations

Allocating data at different levels

Chapter 6: Programmatic Access via Excel

Introduction

Connecting pivot tables and Slicers

Using cube functions

Working with worksheet events and VBA

Managing the Slicer through VBA

Chapter 7: Enterprise Design and Features

Introduction

Restoring a workbook to Analysis Services

Importing models into SQL Server Data Tools

Developing models in SQL Server Data Tools

Securing data with roles

Implementing dynamic security

Creating perspectives

Chapter 8: Enterprise Management

Introduction

Deploying models from SSDT

Deploying models with the Deployment Wizard

Creating and managing partitions

Processing the data

DirectQuery and real-time solutions

Chapter 9: Querying the Tabular Model with DAX

Introduction

Retrieving data from a single table

Using projection to combine data from different tables

Restricting data with filters and where conditions

Deriving tables and selecting top n records

Chapter 10: Visualizing Data with Power View

Introduction

Creating a Power View report

Creating and manipulating charts

Using tiles (parameters)

Using and showing images

Automating the table fields with default field sets

Working with table behavior and card control

Using maps

Using multiples (Trellis Charts)

What You Will Learn

Create tabular models which present custom information to users

Create simple and complex DAX formulas and measures that address business questions and concerns

Learn the basics of tabular modeling and how to structure the model and control what information is presented to the user

Understand the methods of importing data into the model and the techniques to manage the data access components of the model

Explore the techniques required to promote and manage tabular models in corporate environments

Learn methods to report and query on the data within the model

Understand the techniques required to extend the native reporting capabilities in Excel through the use of Visual Basic for Application (VBA) within workbooks in order to provide a rich and customizable reporting framework for users

In Detail

Business Intelligence Semantic Models (BISM) is a technology that is designed to deliver analytical information to users through a variety of mechanisms that include model structure, definition, and design. This book demonstrates how to create BISM models so that information can be presented to users in an intuitive and easy-to-use format. Once the model is defined, we also show you how it can be managed and maintained so that the data in it remains current and secure.

Microsoft Tabular Modeling Cookbook is an all-encompassing guide to developing, managing, creating, and using analytical models using the Business Intelligence Semantic Model (BISM). This title covers a range of modeling situations and common data analysis related problems to show you the techniques required to turn data into information using tabular modeling.

Microsoft Tabular Modeling Cookbook examines three areas of tabular modeling: model development, model management and maintenance, and reporting. This book is a practical guide on how to develop semantic models and turn business data into information. It covers all phases of the model lifecycle from creation to administration and finally reporting. It also shows you how to create models which are designed to analyze data.

All sections of BISM modeling from development to management and finally reporting are covered. The sections on development examine a wide range of techniques and tricks required to build models, including moving data into the model, structuring the model to manipulate the data, and finally the formulas required to answer common business questions; all of these are discussed in this book in detail.

Finally, the book examines methods of reporting on the data within the model, including the creation of data-driven workbooks and reports for a powerful end user experience.

Authors

Paul te Braak

Paul te Braak (ptebraak@abaXdata.com.au) is a leading Business Intelligence Consultant based in Australia. He has been involved in Information Management for over 15 years, with the past 9 years focusing on the Microsoft Business Intelligence stack. His areas of interest include data modeling, data mining, and visualization. He is an active participant in the SQL Server community, speaks at various local and international events, and organizes a regional SQL Server Saturday. His blog can be found at www.paultebraak.wordpress.com.

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